Camping opportunities near Braddock Heights, Maryland span a diverse region between the Potomac River and Catoctin Mountain at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,900 feet. The area receives average annual rainfall of 43.5 inches with summer temperatures typically reaching 85-90°F. Most campgrounds in the region stay open from April through October, though several remain operational year-round with limited winter amenities.
What to do
Historical exploration: Visit Gettysburg National Military Park while camping at Gettysburg Campground, located just minutes from the battlefield. "A nice site/area for base camping in the fall," notes one camper who found it ideal for accessing downtown Gettysburg attractions and battlefield access points.
Water activities: Enjoy river access at Harpers Ferry Campground, where sites are positioned directly along the Potomac River. "It's lovely to have a site right on the water. I recommend bringing a float and spending your day relaxing out on the water," suggests one visitor who appreciated the riverside setting despite train noise.
Farm interaction: Feed animals at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, which offers a unique agricultural camping experience. "We've enjoyed mini-golf, feeding the animals, 'hiking' through the cornfield, fishing, and campfires," reports a camper who visited during COVID restrictions when many activities were limited.
What campers like
Riverfront views: Potomac River access at Brunswick Family Campground offers water recreation options. "The Shanandoah is just as beautiful. This campground is so quaint and carefree you almost forget the outside world," wrote one repeat visitor who made multiple trips within two weeks.
Convenience to attractions: Most campgrounds in the region provide easy access to historical sites. "It's literally like a mile from downtown Gettysburg, which also has a lot of different things to do," noted a camper at Drummer Boy Camping Resort who appreciated the proximity to attractions.
Family amenities: Swimming pools and recreation facilities keep children entertained. "There is a swimming pool, ball courts, fishing pond, mini golf (which was in pretty sad shape), and more. They have themed weekend events, live music, bingo, golf cart parades, and potluck," observed one visitor to Bull Run Regional Park, though they felt the $80 nightly rate was steep.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Braddock Heights experience railroad disruptions. "The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains. The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night," warns a camper at Harpers Ferry Campground.
Seasonal operations: Check operating dates when planning RV camping near Braddock Heights, Maryland. "The park is so large (over 95 acres) that if you are camping with friends make sure you get sites nearby them or else you will need to drive to their site," noted one visitor about Drummer Boy Camping Resort, which operates from April 1 to October 31.
Bathroom conditions: Facility cleanliness varies significantly between campgrounds. "The bathrooms could use some upgrading for the money that place probably takes in each season. The bathhouses could definitely use some upgrading," reported a visitor who otherwise enjoyed their stay at Drummer Boy.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Plan for organized events at campgrounds offering family programming. "They had a yard sale, vendor sale, golf cart parade, as well as other activities going on. The campground offers free mini golf, a pool and a splash pad pool area," reported a visitor to Drummer Boy Camping Resort during Memorial Day weekend.
Animal encounters: Children particularly enjoy campgrounds with farm animals. "We came with 3 kids. They LOVED the animals and we fed them at the allotted time every morning and went to visit at other times," noted a family at Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, though they found limited activities beyond the animal interactions.
Playground access: Check playground availability before booking with children. "Only drawback is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," mentioned a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park who otherwise gave the campground five stars, particularly praising the shower facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV sites in the region require leveling blocks. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," reported an RVer at Bull Run Regional Park.
Sewer hookup placement: Check hookup locations when reserving RV sites. "The biggest complaint about our site was that the sewer hookup was inconveniently placed about six inches above the ground which meant that it would not drain properly (even with a slinky placed under it)," noted a camper at Round Top Campground.
Alternative parking options: For RV travelers seeking a basic overnight spot, consider commercial alternatives. "This is a mobile home neighborhood, apparently with some new spots available for travelers — not an RV park. The location is awesome if you just need somewhere to park for a few nights while you go do stuff all day in the Frederick area," explained a local reviewer about Evergreen Point Village.
